Walk by the Student Leadership and Innovation Commons and you’ll see the stark reminder that summer’s days are numbered.

The large whiteboard outside the commons’ door counts down the days to O-Week and when students return to celebrate the start of a new school year and get acquainted with university.

The week kicks off on Sunday with residence move-in. That’s when 2,400 students arrive on campus between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with their lives in boxes and bags.
Students calling Quarry View, Earp, Vallee, DeCew, Lowenberger and Village residences home for the next eight months will spend the day getting settled in their new digs, and having house meetings and residence dinners.

Months of planning go into getting ready for the big day, said Jamie Fleming, director of residences. About 100 staff and 500 volunteers are on hand to make sure it all goes smoothly.

“How am I feeling as move in day approaches? It’s the usual mix of feeling proud of the work we do, satisfied we’ve done our best, concern for my staff – they’re exhausted – and knowing that move in day is where the rubber hits the road and the return of students to campus is our raison d’etre,” Fleming said.

Those living off-campus can meet new students at a barbecue hosted by Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) at Issac’s Patio. The free grill fest happens from 5 to 8 p.m.

The day’s activities are capped with a live burn to show students how quickly fire can spread in a dorm room and to promote fire safety with the knowfire.ca campaign.

Students can unwind by cutting some rug afterward at the Tower Party, one of O-Week’s most popular events.

The festivities continue Monday but Tuesday will take on a more academic tone with faculties hosting orientations. Students can meet others in their program, and get familiar with their academic advisers and professors. Campus tours will also be held to help newcomers find their way around before classes start the following week.

A vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday will help students get to know the services, organizations and businesses on campus and in the wider community.

“This is your O-Week,” said Liv Meriano, BUSU’s vice-president of student services. “I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and participate in events, get involved in clubs and charities. Whether your interests are sports, the arts or video games, there is literally an opportunity for everyone.”

One of O-Week’s flagship events, the concert in Weather Station Field, happens Wednesday.Tommy Trash takes to the turntable at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.

But before the party starts, Student Life and Community Experience will be handing out Neighbourhood Welcome Wagon bags at Cat’s Caboose on Glenridge Ave.

The bags will be packed full of information from Thorold and St. Catharines Fire Services, Thorold and St. Catharines councils, Niagara Region waste management, police, BUSU and Student Life and Community Experience to help get acquainted with the dos and don’ts of living off campus.

Shinerama, the day when Brock students take to the streets of Niagara to wash cars, shine shoes and fire up the barbecue, happens Saturday, Sept. 7. Proceeds from this event go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The goal is to raise $34,000 for the cause.

O-Week celebrations wrap up Sunday, Sept. 8 with official closing ceremonies and a volunteer appreciation concert at Isaac’s.

But there will still be plenty of chances to get involved, all of which will be highlighted at Volunteerfest on Sept. 12. The event, which let’s students know the causes to which they can donate their time happens in the Guernsey Market from 10 a.m. to noon.